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Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Hopper in Paris

I wasn't sure I wanted to see the Edward Hopper exhibit at theGrand Palais with waits up to FOUR hours.But I bought a ticket anyway to see what the whoopla was about...

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Paintings done during his three stays in Paris in 1906, 1909 and 1910 were full of Paris greys and grey bleus...

They're rarely on view and I ate them up

Then went out the following day searching for similar settings like the Pavilion de Flore...

Notre Dame was often a subject for Hopper before he turned his eye on Maine lighthouses and farm sheds. Hopper's work was deeply influenced by French Albert Marquet, Felix Vallotton, Degas. It's an exceptional treat to see these artists in the same room with Hopper.

Another huge influence was 19th century photographerEugene Atget of Paris monuments.

Moody and abstract in design

They left a lasting impression on Hopper.

Not included in the Grand Palais exhibit (but I wish they were) these ledger bookthumbnailcroquis drawings Hopper made after paintings were completed as a record of what sold at what price and what size. His wife Josephine filled in the written info to keep track of every single painting - she was the administrator behind the scenes. A French facsimile is out of the ledger and available on Amazon.fr, Edward Hopper, De l'oeuvre au croquis.

After the exhibit I wandered over to the Christmas marche on the Champs-Elysees. Doesn't this caneles-maker look a good model for Hopper? The Dog of the day was this saucisson smothered in grilled onions on a baguette with moutarde (6 euros). An appropriate snack after the Hopper expo in my opinion.

I was hopping mad I couldn't get to this I had a ticket and my back went and haven't had the chance since. So thanks, Carol, for sharing this. I heard there weren't that many paintings but it does look worth the wait!

You lucky! I've tried now to get into this twice. The first time it hadn't yet arrived, and the second, it was closed between Christmas and New Year's. Your photos remind me of the Caillebotte exhibit at the Schirn in Frankfurt. They did a great job of integrating period photos with the paintings, including a lot of Atget!

Sorry I missed the show, but did see a very informative video on Air France about Hopper and his artist wife Jo,....... well worth the admission.....Also saw a sign on a bakery window saying "No Photos Please" I smiled and said "Ah! I walk in the footsteps of Madame Carol Gillott"

Thank You for the info in your post today about the Edward Hopper show. My interest in him has centered on his prints particularly those in US cities, so I was not aware of the time he spent in Paris. I’ll have to find a good bio and read it to learn more about him. While his oils and watercolors are stunning, for me at least, his prints are the real gems. He and Martin Lewis have the capacity to use black and white in an almost magical way. Many thanks for the info on the book of his thumbnails; I’m going to see if I can find it on Amazon

Wanted to let you know about one of the best Hopper sites in Paris: 48, rue de Lille a block or two form the Musee d’Orsay. Hopper lived here for some time and three of his paintings of the building are attached. It was a Baptist church at the time Hopper stayed there with apartments and storefronts to supplement the income.

Hopper is very popular here & our Portland museum features his Maine paintings often. But these Paris paintings & then his diner paintings seem quite different. As you know, I longed to see the Paris exhibit...Once again, I adore your sketch & thanks so much for sharing his ledger page. As far as that sandwich: it is for one far heartier than I!!

Wish I was in Paris to view the Hopper Exhibit!!! I was on Paris last Sept and stayed at the Quai Voltaire. Hopper stayed at the Hotel Lilli, just around the Rue de Bac. He painted the bridge and ladies at "The Wine Shop" (I have heard it called) Last Oct, Bowdoin College. in Brunswick Maine, held a "Hopper in Maine" retrospective. Oil paintings from many private collections and museums were included along with many small, seldom seen oils which the college owns. The town was even decorated with a Hopper lighthouse printed on banners and handing from many light posts. I am glad to hear of the reception the Parisians gave him!! He well deserves it! Thanks for the post and info!